I've been growing outdoor garden plants for years and, while I prefer perennials for their longevity, I'm curious about the idea of bringing some annuals and seasonal perennials indoors for the winter. Has anyone tried this? Which plants have thrived indoors, and which ones have flopped? For example, I'm wondering about snapdragons versus vincas and coleus – are there any that have worked well for you?
3 Answers
I usually bring in my geraniums each year if I'm particularly fond of them. They can get a bit leggy in winter, but I’ve had one that survived for over five years and keeps blooming! I had to use poles to support it because it spread quite a bit, but it's become a reliable indoor buddy through various neglect phases. It's not the prettiest plant, but those red blooms against the winter snow are a joy!
I’ve had amazing success with canna lilies indoors! They reached 4-5 feet tall, and while I lost them to scale eventually, they came back strong each season. I also bought outdoor ferns like ostrich and Japanese painted ferns that have thrived. My indoor nasturtium is doing well too, with tons of flowers!
Honestly, any plant can be a perennial if you give it the right conditions. I've seen some annuals thrive indoors, especially if they’re fast-growing types that aren't frost-sensitive. However, some just won't make it regardless, so it really depends on the plant. For example, I tried keeping mini roses inside, and they were not happy at all with pests continually popping up.
That's true! Some 'annuals' just can't handle being indoors. They have a quick life cycle that doesn't cater well to indoor conditions.
Have you tried pruning it to keep it more compact? You might get even better growth!